1-in-3 Old Brits Live In Freezing 'Fuel Poverty' Hoping For Global Warming

You couldn't blame
British citizens for dreaming of global warming these days.

A huge proportion of elderly British now find themselves in fuel
poverty as a result of very cold winters and, undoubtedly, an
insufficient supply of energy resources.

Oil Fired Up: Andrew Harrop, Head of Policy at Age Concern
and Help the Aged, said, 'Icy roads and pavements are making many
older people prisoners in their homes, frightened to venture out
through fear of falling and leaving them feeling isolated and
lonely. With older people being one of the groups most at risk
during this cold snap, we are delighted Ministers made the time
to call in on a group of pensioners in south London.

'We are concerned that prolonged cold weather and high energy
bills could create the perfect storm for hard-up older people
this winter, causing hardship, illness and isolation. Following
the huge spike in excess winter deaths among older people last
winter, there is a risk the number of pensioners suffering from
cold-related illnesses could increase further, contributing to a
higher rate of excess winter deaths.

'Many older people will be worried about paying even higher
energy bills to heat their homes. With 1 in 3 pensioner
households already in fuel poverty, a long and cold winter could
push this figure even higher.

...

Mr. Weir, MP for Angus said, "This has not just been a cold snap,
but a sustained period of freezing weather which seems set to
continue and the UK government must take immediate action to help
vulnerable households.